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Local businessman charged in robbery

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MIAMI TOWNSHIP (May 10, 2006)  - The Miami Township Police Department has charged a local business owner with robbery after he beat a store clerk who refused to sell him beer after hours.

Detective John Swing

Kelly Eugene Brown, 41, of Chestnut View Lane in Milford, was indicted by Clermont County Grand Jury Wednesday, May 10, after he was arrested for robbing a Speedway clerk on State Route 131 on Sunday, May 7. Brown, who owns Rainbow Moving and Storage in Miami Township, is currently in the Clermont County jail on a $250,000 bond.

According to Miami Township Police Detective John Swing, Brown entered the Speedway at 1143 St. Rt. 131 in Miami Township just before 3 a.m. on May 7 and wanted to purchase beer. When the 65-year-old clerk told Brown he could not sell beer after hours, Brown became enraged and reached across the counter and removed the clerk's eyeglasses from his face. When the clerk stepped out from behind the counter to retrieve his glasses, Brown punched the clerk knocking him to the ground.

"While the clerk was on the ground, Brown continued to strike the clerk with his hands and feet," Detective Swing said. "Brown then grabbed a 16-ounce glass jar of salsa from the shelf and struck the clerk over the head."

After beating the clerk, Detective Swing said Brown demanded money. Brown was unsuccessful in his demand for money. The clerk advised Brown fled the scene on foot and ran into a tree as he was making his escape, causing him to fall down. Brown was able to get back up and flee the scene on foot.

Miami Township Police Officers Kent Arter and Greg Jenkins arrived at the store minutes later and secured the scene. Upon viewing the surveillance video from Speedway, Officers Arter and Jenkins recognized the offender as Brown from previous contacts with him. A search of the area by Detective Swing revealed Brown's cell phone in the Speedway parking lot.

Brown's Rainbow Moving and Storage is located approximately 300 yards from Speedway. Officers were unsuccessful in several earlier attempts to get Brown to come to the door until a search warrant for his business was obtained. Brown was taken into custody without incident.

The clerk was transported to Bethesda North Hospital and was treated for a head and shoulder injury. The clerk had multiple bruises from the attack. The clerk is recovering at home.

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